In the photos it may look like a full-size SUV, but the Volkswagen Cross Coupe, an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid just unveiled at Tokyo, is small. At 171.1 in., it's shorter than its Tiguan sibling, and only a tad longer than a Golf. With short overhangs, a 73.5-in. width and large 265/45-20 tires, the Cross Coupe looks a little bulldogish. Is this the future face of VW? Possibly, as Group Chief Designer Walter de Silva and VW Chief Designer Klaus Bischoff are responsible for its design.

It's called a coupe, but this VW concept actually has four doors and a sloping roof line. A center tunnel that splits the rear seats holds an 8-module 9.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. The engine is a transversely mounted gasoline unit featuring the usual VW turbocharger and direct injection. No word on displacement, but it's probably a small 3-cylinder mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission. It's said to produce 148 bhp and 155 lb.-ft. of torque. That may not seem like enough, but the performance is aided by three electric motors. Two electric motors add 54 hp and 133 lb.-ft. of torque at the front, whereas a single rear motor provides 114 hp and 199 lb.-ft. of torque. The combined output should be enough to scoot the 3850-lb. VW Cross Coupe to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds. Moreover, its battery is large enough to provide 25 miles of pure electric range, and a pure-electric top speed of 75 mph. With gasoline engine running, this VW can reach a top speed of 125 mph. Range with the 14.5-gallon fuel tank is said to be 506 miles; that increases to 531 miles thanks to the plug-in battery. That equates to an estimated highway mileage of over 35 mpg. Some of that efficiency is likely related to its 0.329 coefficient of drag.

Inside, there's 13.4 cubic feet of space under the hatch, which expands to 43.4 when the rear seats are folded flat. A durable material is used on the back of the seats to allow for some rugged use. The front passenger seat also folds forward for added space in the same manner. A surfboard will fit, as would a bicycle with wheels still attached.

The overall ambience is sporty, and off-road grab handles are prominent on the center console. What's more, the unique drivetrain allows for a variety of settings that optimize economy or off-road performance. A rotary knob selects among "Sport," "City," and "Offroad" modes, and a large touchscreen provides different information for each. A unique feature lacking in many other current hybrids is the ability to save electric energy until desired. This isn't for optimal fuel economy, but it would allow drivers to enter restricted areas that are off-limits to internal combustion engines.

That's the big question, for sure. It's possible, especially since VW admits that the Cross Coupé is designed on a new MQB (modular transverse matrix) platform. This is the first time we've seen the MQB chassis, and we suspect it will be used for the next-generation Golf and Tiguan.